Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains announces consolidation of two Colorado health centers

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DENVER – For over 10 years and without public funding, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has provided its patients throughout Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming with high quality, affordable health care. Proving its resiliency and strength over the last decade, PPRM sees over 106,000 patients annually and has fought major political battles such as defeating two statewide “personhood” ballot initiatives in 2008 and 2010 Colorado elections, respectively.

Today PPRM announces the consolidation and closures of two of its 23 Colorado health centers.

“We know our communities rely on us to be a staunch advocate for women’s health as well as a health care provider. Both roles are important yet this responsibility has finally led our organization to make difficult yet strategic decisions,” said Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of PPRM.

Effective Sept. 1, PPRM’s Eastside health center in Colorado Springs in addition to PPRM’s La Junta location will close. Planned Parenthood’s top concern is the health of its patients. These closures were carefully made to minimize impact and any gap in care to our patients. In Colorado Springs, our new, spacious Westside health center has the capacity to serve all Eastside patients and more. In La Junta, three federally qualified health centers are nearby offering low-cost family planning services and women’s health in addition to PPRM’s health center in Pueblo. All PPRM patients affected by the closures have been notified and informed of their nearby Planned Parenthood in order to seamlessly transfer patient records. In addition to the two Colorado closures, PPRM will close one health center in Las Vegas, where it operates two other health centers and where we hope patients will opt to transfer.

“PPRM’s mission today is just as relevant as it was one hundred years ago, potentially even more so with the implementation of the new health care reform law, also known as ‘Obamacare.’

“Our goal as we enter into the new world of health care reform is to be there for those who will be newly-insured. We will also continue to be a source for quality health care for those who are not able to benefit from the new law or for those who don’t immediately enroll in the state marketplace, although we will be working hard to educate people about the ACA so they understand it and are empowered to take action.

“At PPRM, our patients are our top priority. The decision to close health centers was a difficult one, but it was made strategically to ensure that we can still be there for the patients who rely on us most. PPRM has been in Colorado for nearly one hundred years and our plan is to be here for another one hundred years as we turn to our community for greater support. One-in-five American woman has been to a Planned Parenthood at some point in her life. Our care is needed. Our compassion is needed. Our education is needed and certainly our advocacy work is needed.” said Cowart.

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains empowers individuals and families in the communities we serve to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health by providing high quality health services, comprehensive sex education, and strategic advocacy. More than 120,000 women, men, and young adults annually visit our 33 30 health centers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Wyoming. Since 1916, we have been the region’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care. For more information about Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, call 1.800.230.PLAN or visit pprm.org for the health center nearest you.